Railway track and sleeper and gap-covering element therefor

ABSTRACT

On a railway track comprising a ballast bed ( 10 ), sleepers ( 12 ) provided on the ballast bed and tracks ( 14 ) mounted on the sleepers, the sleepers are disposed closely adjoining one another but out of mutual contact, leaving a gap, the sleepers defining drainage channels ( 134 ) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track for lateral water drainage. The gaps between the sleepers may be covered by covering elements ( 142 ) or the sleepers may overlap without touching one another. In this manner the track bed is substantially kept free of water, the positional stability of the track is increased, therefore reducing or rendering superfluous the normally required maintenance work such as tamping as well as cleaning and weed control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a railway track comprising a ballast bed,sleepers disposed on the ballast bed and rails mounted on the sleepers.The invention further relates to a sleeper for such a railway track aswell as a gap cover for covering the gap between such sleepers.

Sleeper according to the state of the art, may be manufactured of wood.Concrete or steel, concrete sleepers of the German type B70 are atpresent most frequently installed, the axial spacing of the sleepersbeing 60 cm with a maximum sleeper width of 30 cm.

This track system, conceived to be durable, is exposed to all sorts ofweather conditions and requires constant maintenance. The very highmaintenance costs include lifting, tamping and realigning the track inthe event of positional shifts, cleaning the track in the event ofsevere soiling and eradication of plant growth in the ballast bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to so further develop a railway trackof the type mentioned in the opening paragraph that the upkeep costs maybe minimized and investments in respect of earthwork may be reduced.

The object is essentially attained in that adjoining sleepers aredisposed in a longitudinal direction of the track closely adjoining oneanother but without mutual contact, leaving a gap therebetween. At leastone drainage channel extends transversely to the longitudinal directionof the track which is assigned to each sleeper for lateral waterdrainage.

These expedients entail multiple advantages.

Due to the enlargement of the support surface of the sleepers on theballast, the surface pressure onto the ballast is reduced. Because ofthe increase of the inherent weight of the sleeper and the enlargementof the front surfaces, i.e. the end faces of the sleepers, theresistance to transverse displacement is increased. By draining thesurface water via the drainage channel at least a major part of thesurface water is kept away from the load-bearing substructure.

Because of the lower surface pressure, the higher resistance totransverse displacement and the drainage of surface water, thepositional stability of the track is increased considerably. Thisentails at the same time load reduction for the substructure, i.e. thenecessary investments in earthwork are minimized.

By reducing loads on the ballast and thus likewise the substructure andby reducing the penetration of surface water into the track grid thesurface water is on the one hand to a large extent kept away from theload-bearing substructure underneath the ballast bed, thus making itpossible to avoid or reduce a softening of the substructure and thus adestabilization of the entire track. Furthermore plant growth in theballast bed is practically entirely prevented due to the ballast bedbeing covered completely or at least almost completely by the sleepersand the side-way drainage of the surface water so that in these regardsexpensive maintenance operations for the cross-section covered by thesleepers may be dispensed with. In addition, the safety-relatedrequirements are met so that in the outer regions of the sleeper(shoulder) only a considerably simplified vegetation care is stillnecessary. Soiling of the ballast bed is likewise practically entirelyexcluded and the expensive cleaning of the ballast bed may thus likewisebe dispensed with.

The size of the gap provided for between adjoining sleepers is soselected that radial laying of the sleepers in the region of curves inthe section is possible, preferably without the sleepers touching oneanother in these regions.

The drainage channels may in principle be designed horizontally, that isto say parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleepers; a morereliable and quicker drainage is, however, ensured if the drainagechannels according to a further feature of the invention are designedinclined in the longitudinal direction of the sleepers. If thetransverse inclination of the drainage channels is greater than themaximum superelevation of the track in the region of curves, the water,even in the region of superelevations, may always be drained reliablytowards the outside, that is to say in two-tracked sections towards thefield side.

It is particularly advantageous if the drainage channels comprise twosections inclined in opposite directions for lateral water drainage inthe direction towards both sleeper heads, in which context thetransverse inclination of the drainage channels may in this case beparticularly strong with the result that even in the event ofconsiderable track superelevations a reliable drainage is possible. Inaddition, the sleepers may then be designed symmetrically.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper sides of thesleepers are at least partly designed to be inclined in the longitudinaldirection of the track, that is to say towards the drainage channels.This ensures a rapid and reliable drainage and the permanent depositionof dirt on the sleeper is simultaneously drastically reduced as thesleepers are rinsed clean after heavy rainfalls and the dirt isdischarged sideways via the drainage channels.

In order to prevent water from penetrating the ballast bed via the gapbetween the sleepers, a gap cover is provided according to a furtherimportant aspect of the invention. This gap cover may comprise acovering element bearing on adjoining sleepers at both ends of the gapand may in the simplest case be designed as a cover plate, for exampleeven a concrete panel. The gap cover may, however, also be fitted inform-fitting and/or press-fitting engagement and, where appropriate, beadhesively bonded into in the gap or in the region of the gap. The gapcover may consist of a suitable plastics material, of rubber orrubber-like material or it might be formed of foaming material similarto canned foam or it might also be in the form of an elasticallycompressible strip of suitable synthetic resin which is fitted into thegap. It is important for the gap cover to be able to seal gaps ofdifferent width or gaps of changing width, as in the region of curves inthe track the sleepers are laid radially and the width of the gaps thusvaries from one sleeper face to the other.

In cross-section the gap cover preferably comprises a roof sectioncovering the gap as well as a section of the sleepers bordering thereon,wide enough to reliably cover the gap even if the maximum gap widthoccurs. The gap cover may furthermore comprise a foot section projectingdownwardly into the gap, which may be narrower than the minimum gapwidth occurring and which prevents a lateral sliding of the gap cover.Advantageously this foot section in the gap is fitted in press-fittingor form-fitting relationship. This may in particular be attained in thatat the foot section holding means are provided which adapt to therespective gap width and which are preferably elastically deformable andwhich may be designed in particular as expansion elements extendingtransversely to the gap. After laying the sleepers these holding meansare pressed into the gap until the roof section comes to rest on thesleepers, in which case the expansion elements are bent or foldedupwardly to a greater or lesser extent, thus anchoring themselves in thegap.

If designed appropriately, the gap cover may perform as a fluid-tightseal.

Each sleeper may be provided with one or more drainage channels in orderto drain the surface water of any sleeper sideways. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, however, a joint drainage channel isassigned to any two adjoining sleepers. This may for example be attainedin that between adjoining sleepers a gutter is provided, the adjoiningsleepers being able to cover the gutter from both sides.

In a particularly preferred further development of the inventionprovision is made, however, that adjoining sleepers overlap inlongitudinal direction of the track without mutual contact and that thedrainage channel in the region of overlap is preferably designed to forman integral part of one of the two adjoining sleepers.

In particular, each sleeper may for this purpose comprise along its onelongitudinal side a flashing-like projection and along its oppositelongitudinal side a laterally protruding channel section forming thedrainage channel, the channel section engaging under the flashing-likeprojection of the adjoining sleeper. In this case sleepers may be usedwhich are altogether identical.

Alternatively, sleepers of a first type and sleepers of a second typeare provided alternatingly, in which context each sleeper of the firsttype in each case comprises a flashing-like projection along its twoopposite longitudinal sides and in which context each sleeper of thesecond type comprises a laterally protruding channel section forming thedrainage channel along its two opposite longitudinal sides, each channelsection engaging underneath the flashing-like projection of theadjoining sleeper.

In a preferred further embodiment of the invention the upper sides ofthe sleepers are designed with an incline, at least partly inlongitudinal direction of the track, that is to say towards the drainagechannels. This ensures a quick and reliable drainage and the permanentdeposit of dirt on the sleeper is at the same time drastically reducedas the sleepers are rinsed clean after heavy rainfalls and the dirt isflushed sideways via the drainage channels.

In order to ensure that the water flowing from the upper side of thesleeper towards the drainage channel of the adjoining sleeper actuallyreaches the drainage channel, a drip section is provided in anadvantageous further development of the invention at the end of theflashing projections of the sleepers along the underside of theseprojections, formed either by a dripping ledge pointing downwardly or bya notch pointing upwardly.

According to a particularly preferred feature the invention providesthat the track supports of the sleepers are arranged off-centre inrelation to the longitudinal centre plane of the sleepers, in particularthat they areoffset rearwardly in relation to the direction of travel ofthe track thus allowing for the forces of vehicle movement dynamicsconveyed to the sleepers via the tracks by the vehicle axes.

According to a further advantageous feature of the invention a recess isprovided on the underside of the sleeper, in particular arrangedcentrally and extending over the entire sleeper width, forming asubstantially non-loadbearing zone for the sleeper in the region of thisrecess, preventing “riding” and therefore possible fracture of thesleeper. Preferably this recess is filled with a deformable syntheticresin material, e.g. foam plastic, which is adequately resilient to notassume a load-bearing function as compared with concrete but which, onthe other hand, substantially prevents the penetration of the ballastinto the recess, for example in a tamping process.

The sleepers will advantageously consist of reinforced concrete, ifrequired, they may, however, also be manufactured of a plasticsmaterial, in particular a recycled plastics material which wouldsubstantially reduce the weight of the sleepers. In the case of concretesleepers, the sleepers, for the purpose of weight reduction, maycomprise at least one cavity which may be filled in particular withplastics material.

On or in the sleeper a duct passage may advantageously be providedextending in longitudinal direction of the track and in which a trackconductor may be inserted and mounted by suitable fastening means.

It may further be advantageous to form a depression or projection at thesleeper heads, the depression or projection either being formed by theconcrete itself or by reinforcing rod spacers, sockets or the like castinto the concrete. Such depressions on both opposite sleeper heads maybe of advantage in particular for assembly purposes or for lifting thesleepers for tamping purposes. Concrete-embedded concrete rod spacers orassembly sleeves may serve to mount additional components on thesleepers, for example sleeper-covering sound protection means in theform of walls or the like extending parallel to the tracks.

In order to reduce the sound level of the track according to theinvention, the surface of the sleepers, in a preferred furtherembodiment of the invention, may be provided, at least in part, withsound refracting means, such as in particular sound refractingstructures, for which purpose the sleeper surface, with the exception ofthe gutter, may for example be provided with a rhombic structure or forwhich purpose a suitable facing material may be used when casting thesleeper, similar, for example, to exposed aggregate concrete.

In order to facilitate tamping, in particular in the region of points,it may be advantageous to provide tamping apertures in the sleeper inmutually opposing positions, preferably in pairs, in relation to thelongitudinal axis of the sleeper and through which the tamping elementof the tamping device may engage the ballast. It may further beadvantageous to provide continuous filling apertures in the sleeper viawhich additional filling material may be introduced into the ballastbed.

According to a further aspect of the present invention the drainagechannel at the face end of the sleeper exits into a further drainagechannel extending in the longitudinal direction of the track, andpreferably forming an integral part of the sleeper at the sleeper head.In this manner, the transversely drained water, for example in theregion of bridges, may additionally be guided over a certain distance inlongitudinal direction of the track. The gap between the furtherdrainage channels extending in longitudinal direction of the track,occurring between adjoining sleepers, may be closed by the gap coverdiscussed further above.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the drainagechannel at the face end of the sleeper comprises an upwardly directedretaining wall and the gap between adjoining retaining walls ofadjoining sleepers may likewise be sealed by the said gap cover. In thismanner a water collecting chamber is brought about between adjoiningsleepers in which water accumulates when it rains, which may thenevaporate or be whirled up and dissipated by passing trains.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention adjoining sleepersmay define between one another a single drainage channel, in which caseeach sleeper is assigned approximately half a drainage channel and thegap between the sleepers may be sealed by an appropriate gap sealingmeans.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantageous characteristics of the invention are apparent fromthe remaining subsidiary claims as well as from the followingdescription in which several working examples of the invention aredescribed in detail with reference to the drawing. There are shown inthe drawing, partly in schematic or semi-schematic illustration:

FIG. 1 a schematic, partly sectionalized side elevation of a portion ofa first embodiment of a railway track according to the invention,

FIG. 2 a plan view of the track according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 a side elevation of the longitudinal sleeper sides according toFIG. 1,

FIG. 4 a section through a sleeper according to FIG. 1 in an enlargedview,

FIG. 5 a section through the gap region of two adjoining sleepersincluding the cover element,

FIGS. 6 to 9 section sketches similar to FIG. 5 with varying gap widths,

FIG. 10 a schematic side elevation of a portion of a further embodimentof a railway track according to the invention,

FIG. 11 a plan view of the track according to FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 a side elevation of the longitudinal side of the sleepersaccording to FIG. 10,

FIG. 13 a schematic side elevation of a portion of a further embodimentof a railway track according to the invention,

FIG. 14 a plan view of the track according to FIG. 13,

FIG. 15 a partly sectionalized side elevation of the longitudinal sideof the sleepers according to FIG. 13,

FIG. 16 an elevation of a sleeper according to FIG. 13 in an enlargedview,

FIG. 17 a schematic side elevation of a portion of a further embodimentof a railway track according to the invention,

FIG. 18 a plan view of the track according to FIG. 17,

FIG. 19 a partly sectionalized side elevation of the longitudinal sideof the sleepers according to FIG. 17,

FIG. 20 a side elevation of the sleepers according to FIG. 1 in anenlarged view in relation to FIG. 1,

FIG. 21 a schematic side elevation of a portion of a further embodimentof a railway track according to the invention,

FIG. 22 a schematic side elevation of a portion of a first embodiment ofa railway track according to the invention,

FIG. 23 a plan view of the track according to FIG. 22,

FIG. 24 a side elevation of the longitudinal side of the sleepersaccording to FIG. 22,

FIG. 25 a section through the sleeper according to FIG. 22 in anenlarged view,

FIG. 26 a view similar to FIG. 25, a plurality of sections, staggered inthe longitudinal direction of the sleeper, being indicated in order toillustrate the inclination of the sleeper surface and of the drainagechannel,

FIG. 27 a section similar to FIG. 25 of a second embodiment withoff-centre track supports,

FIG. 28 a partly sectionalized side elevation similar to FIG. 22 of afurther embodiment comprising additional filling apertures,

FIG. 29 a plan view of the working example according to FIG. 2,

FIG. 30 a sectionalized view of the sleepers according to FIG. 28,

FIG. 31 a side elevation similar to FIG. 22 of a further embodimentcomprising additional tamping apertures,

FIG. 32 a plan view of the working example according to FIG. 31,

FIG. 33 a sectionalized view of the sleepers according to FIG. 31,

FIG. 34 a side elevation similar to FIG. 22 of a further workingexample,

FIG. 35 a plan view of the working example according to FIG. 34,

FIG. 36 a sectionalized view of the sleepers according to FIG. 34,

FIG. 37 a schematic side elevation of a further working example in whichthe sleepers of a first and second construction type are alternatelydisposed and

FIG. 38 a schematic side elevation of a further working example in whichseparate drainage channels are disposed between adjoining sleepers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Firstly reference is made to the first working example according toFIGS. 1 to 9. The railway track there shown comprises a ballast bed 10,rest on a substructure 11, transverse sleepers 12 resting on the ballastbed and tracks 14 mounted on the sleepers 12 by means of conventionalmounting elements (tensioning clamps) (not illustrated). For thispurpose track supports 16 are provided on the sleepers 12 as well assleeper bolts 18 including engagement grooves 20 for the tensioningclamps. In the case of the working example the spacing of the sleeperaxes is 60 cm which corresponds to the presently customary standardspacing of a transverse sleeper track. The sleepers 12 are, however,much wider than the conventional sleepers (30 cm) and the gap betweenadjoining sleepers is of the order of from a few millimeters to a fewcentimeters.

Each sleeper comprises a substantially level underside 22 and an upperside comprising a substantially horizontally disposed central section onwhich also the track supports 16 are formed, as well as roof sections26, 28 to either side thereof inclined in a roof-like manner. Along thelongitudinal sides of the sleepers both roof sections 26, 28 jointlymerge into a channel section 130 comprising at its outer end over theentire length of the sleeper a rim 132 projecting upwardly in order todefine the respective channel 134. In this manner the rainwater isdrained off the sleepers via their inclined roof sections into therespective channels 134 and is laterally discharged therefrom.

In order to ensure a speedy lateral water drainage, the drainagechannels 134 are designed in ridge roof like manner comprising twooppositely inclined sections 136, 138, as can be seen in particular fromFIG. 3, where the sections 136, 138 each slope towards the sleeper head,converging in the center of the sleeper.

In order to prevent water from entering the gap 140 between theindividual sleepers, a covering element 142 is preferably provided whichconsists in particular of rubber or rubber-like, elastically deformablematerial. This overall fillet-like covering element 142 extends over theentire length of the gap, but might also be composed of a plurality ofindividual pieces adjoining or inter-engaging one another in a sealingor overlapping manner. In the case of the working example, the coveringelement 142 includes a roof section 144, more or less mushroom-like incross-section, bearing with both sides on the upper regions of thechannel sections 130 of adjoining sleepers as well as a foot section 146projecting into the gap 140. The width of the roof section 144 is soselected as to reliably cover the gap 140 even in the event of thewidest possible gap occurring in practical operation, as apparent fromFIGS. 5 to 9. The upper side of the roof section 144 is convexly curvedwhile the undersides of the roof section on both sides of the footsection 146 are curved concavely, merging into the foot section. Thefoot section 146 furthermore comprises anchoring elements 148 extendinglaterally, i.e. vertically to the plane of the foot section beingelastically deformable, forming an integral part of the foot section andmay be designed as continuous ledges or as isolated protrusions. Thetotal width of the foot section 146 together with its non-deformedanchoring elements 148, measured in the direction of the gap width, atleast equals the maximum gap width occurring in practice, beingpreferably somewhat greater than the latter. The thickness of the footsection, including the anchoring elements when deflected upwardly,equals at the most the minimum gap width occurring in practice.

The covering elements 142 are pressed from the top into the gaps betweenthe individual sleepers until the roof section 144 comes to rest on theadjoining sleeper, the anchoring elements being deflected more or lessin an upward direction depending on the gap width and taking care of theanchorage of the covering element 142 in the respective gap. Coveringand anchoring takes place over the entire gap length, regardless of theactually prevailing gap width.

The working example according to FIGS. 10 to 12 substantiallycorresponds to the one according to FIGS. 1 to 3 so that a detaileddescription may be dispensed with in this respect. The gap between theindividual sleepers may be covered or uncovered. The difference from thefirst mentioned working example resides in that in the present case apocket 149, open towards the bottom is provided on each side of thelower longitudinal edges of the sleepers, the two pockets of any twoadjoining sleepers facing one another, and in that the pockets, viewedin the longitudinal direction of the sleepers, are centrally disposedand extend merely over a central region of the sleeper. Such pockets149, on the one hand, reduce the weight of the sleeper and on the otherhand serve as buffer volume for the possible accommodation of ballastfor tamping operations (during which in particular tamping is performedlaterally from the sleeper heads towards the interior), in order to helpavoid in this manner a possible “riding” of the sleepers on ballastmaterial rising in the center of the track.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 13 to 16 a longitudinal drainage,that is to say a drainage in the longitudinal direction of the track, isprovided in addition to the transverse drainage. For this purposefurther channel sections 152 are moulded onto the sleepers in the regionof the sleeper heads on one side or on both sides, defining drainagechannels 154 extending in the longitudinal direction of the track. Thegaps between the sleepers are suitably covered or sealed in the regionof these longitudinal drainage channels in order to define a continuouschannel. In an alternative embodiment these sealing means are formed bycovering elements sealing the entire gap extending in the longitudinaldirection of the sleeper.

A further working example is illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 20. Here,upwardly pointing retaining walls 156 are formed on the sleeper faceends in the region of the drainage channels and the entire gap region157 including the one between adjoining retaining walls is sealed in anappropriate manner (for example, in one of the manners discussed indetailed in connection with the other disclosed embodiments) so that atrough 158 is brought about between the roof sections 26, 28 and theretaining walls 154 in which rainwater may accumulate.

In a further embodiment, outlined in FIG. 21, two adjoining sleeperseach form a single channel 160, in which case the gap between thesleepers is sealed by means of a sealing element 162. This singlechannel 160 may be inclined in one direction or, as described furtherabove, may be inclined in roof-like manner in two directions and, ifnecessary, additional retaining walls or an additional longitudinaldrainage means may be provided.

In the working example according to FIGS. 22 to 26 the sleepers overlapwithout mutual contact as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 22, 23and 25. The roof section 26 passes into a free salient projection 30while the roof section 28 on the opposite longitudinal side of thesleeper merges into a channel section 32. At the lower terminal edge ofthe projection 30 a dripping edge 34 is provided extending over theentire sleeper length, see FIG. 25, while the outer end of the channelsection 32 over the entire length of the sleeper comprises an upwardlypointing rim 36 in order to define the channel 33.

When installed, the adjoining sleepers overlap each other in such amanner that the channel of a sleeper engages under the salientprojection of the adjoining sleeper without touching it. In this mannerthe rainwater is directed from the sleepers via their oblique roofsections into the respective channels and is laterally discharged fromthere.

In order to ensure a speedy lateral water drainage, the channels orchannel sections 32 are inclined in the longitudinal direction of thesleeper as is apparent in particular from FIG. 24. Accordingly theprojections 30 of the sleepers 12 are likewise inclined, from whichfollows that the inclination of the roof sections 26, 28 from one headend 38 of the sleeper to the other head end 40 increases continuously.This situation is shown in FIG. 26 wherein several sections along thesleeper are indicated. The reference numerals 26 a and 28 a show theroof profile at the head end 38, the reference numerals 26 d and 28 dshow the roof profile at the head end 40. The reference numerals 26 b,28 b, and 26 c, 28 c show roof profiles thereinbetween.

FIGS. 23 and 24 further show a conduit passage 42, serving toaccommodate a track conductor (not illustrated) provided centrally onthe upper side of each sleeper in longitudinal direction of the sleeperand extending in the direction of the tracks. In addition, the recess 44is apparent from FIG. 24, extending centrally on the sleeper underside22, viewed in its longitudinal direction, and over the entire width ofthe sleeper, preventing “riding” of the sleeper and filled with anelastic plastics material 46, as illustrated.

The working example according to FIG. 27 substantially corresponds tothe one according to FIGS. 22 to 26 so that a detailed description isdispensed with in this respect. The difference is that in the case ofthe working example according to FIG. 27 instead of the dripping edges34 at the lower end of the salient projection a groove 48 is nowprovided ensuring that the water running off the roof section 26 reachesthe passage 33 of the passage section 32 and does not for example seepalong the side wall of the sleeper, entering the ballast bed.

In addition, in the case of the working example according to FIG. 27,the track supports 16 are no longer positioned centrally but are rathershifted rearwardly by the distanced opposite to the direction A in whichthe track is traveled on. Such off-centering of the support takes effectin a direction-bound (dual-tracked) railway and allows for the dynamicsof vehicle movements so that loading of the sleeper becomes morebalanced.

The working example according to FIGS. 28 to 30 in turn substantiallycorresponds to the one according to FIGS. 22 to 26 with the followingexceptions: Additionally filling apertures 50 are provided via which, inparticular for the tamping procedure, additional material may beintroduced into the ballast bed. The filling apertures 50 are providedin the region in particular close to the track supports 16. Moreover,recesses 52 are formed in both sleeper heads of each sleeper, facing oneanother which are particularly useful for lifting the sleepers duringtamping or for assembly purposes.

The further working example according to FIGS. 31 to 33 in turnsubstantially corresponds to the one according to FIGS. 22 to 26 withthe following exceptions: The sleepers additionally comprise tampingapertures 54 through which suitable tamping tools such as tamping picksmay be inserted into the ballast structure in order to tamp underneaththe sleeper in particular in the region of the track axis. The tampingapertures are disposed in pairs on opposite sides of the remainingcentral web in which the prestressing steels are to be found. Thetamping apertures 54 are in particular situated in the region of therecess 44, which in this case lacks a synthetic resin filling.Furthermore, in this working example the reference numerals 56 denotereinforcing rod spacers which protrude from the sleeper heads and which,for example, may serve to mount sound protection walls extending overthe sleepers. Instead of the reinforcing rod spacers 56 suitablemounting sleeves or the like may, of course, likewise be cast into thesleeper heads.

The further working example according to FIGS. 34 to 36 in turnsubstantially corresponds to the one according to FIGS. 22 to 26 withthe following exceptions: The sleepers 12 each comprise two tampingapertures 72 which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the sleeper,are disposed centrally, facing one another in pairs in relation to thelongitudinal axis of the track. These tamping apertures 72 may bedesigned relatively wide so that a wider tamping tool (pick) may beused, making filling easier. It may be mentioned that the tampingapertures 72 are provided in the region of the recess 44, that is to saythe zone which does not bear the track support.

Furthermore in the case of this working example the upper side of thesleeper, that is to say the central section 24, is clearly raised inrelation to the working examples described further above, while theposition of the track supports 16 remains the same. This results inthat, due to the greater height of the sleepers, a larger transversegradient of the drainage channel may be attained so that the lateraldrainage towards the field side is possible even in the event of veryconsiderable track superelevations, that is to say against the sleeperinclination.

In addition, in the case of this working example, additional cavities 76are provided on the underside of the sleeper on both sides of the recess44, thus creating additional adjustment facilities (e.g. sandinjection), the sleeper being able to absorb greater transverse andlongitudinal forces and furthermore attaining a weight reduction.

The sleeper illustrated in FIGS. 34 to 36 has the additional advantagethat it is stackable, in which context the individual sleepers lie oneon top of the other in form-fitting manner thus simultaneously ensuringsecure transport.

In the working example according to FIG. 37 two types of sleepers 62, 64are provided. The sleepers 62 comprise free salient projections 66 onboth sides and the sleepers 64 comprise channel sections 68 on bothsides, the sleepers 62 and 64 being disposed alternately and the channelsections engaging underneath the respectively associated projections 66.

In the working example according to FIG. 38 the sleepers 62 havingsalient projections 66 on both sides, are disposed side by side butleaving a gap. Between any two adjoining sleepers 66 a gutter 70 each isprovided defining a drainage channel, in which context the gutter 70engages underneath both opposite projections 66 of adjoining sleepers62. In this working example additional tamping apertures aresuperfluous, as after the removal of the gutters 70 the tamping toolsmay be inserted into the ballast through the gap between adjoiningsleepers. The gutters 70 may in principle be designed even longer thanthe sleepers, thus projecting beyond the sleeper length thereby furtherfacilitating water drainage. In the case of this working example thegutters may likewise be provided with a gradient.

It follows that the features described and illustrated in the aforegoingby way of the different working examples may be provided insubstantially any desired combination in a single sleeper.

When performing the present invention diverse advantages are attained:

As already discussed further above, the lateral surface water drainageresults in a reduced softening of the substructure, a drastic reductionof the surface soiling so that in this respect cleaning work, previouslynecessary, may be dispensed with, and the prevention of plant growth sothat the use of herbicides, harmful to the environment, or mechanicalplant removal are no longer necessary further resulting in an altogethergreater positional stability of the track.

Because of the substantially increased supporting surface of thesleepers on the ballast as compared with a conventional transversesleeper track, a substantially reduced surface pressure (approximatelyhalt) between the sleeper underside and the ballast is attained,resulting in a longer life of the track, reduced ballast loads as wellas preservation of the elasticity of the ballast bed.

Because of the higher weight and the larger sleeper head surface areasin addition a substantially increased cross motion resistance of thesleepers is brought about and therefore a better absorption of thestresses within the track. The resistance to transverse displacement isfurther enhanced by the recesses 44 on the sleeper underside as well asby other apertures, terminating on the sleeper underside.

What is claimed is:
 1. A railway track, comprising: a ballast bed;sleepers disposed on the ballast bed and being separated from each otherby a first distance; tracks mounted on the sleepers, wherein the firstdistance of separation between the sleepers defines a second distancebetween supporting points of the tracks, wherein the sleepers aredisposed in the longitudinal direction of the tracks, closely adjoiningone another, but without mutual contact and leaving a gap, and whereinat least one drainage channel, extending transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the tracks, is assigned to each sleeper forlateral water drainage; and a gap cover covering or sealing the gap froma top side thereof, wherein the gap cover is adhesively bonded in, or inthe region of the gap.
 2. Railway track according to claim 1, whereinthe drainage channels form an integral part of the sleepers.
 3. Railwaytrack according to claim 1, wherein the drainage channels are inclinedin a longitudinal direction of the sleepers.
 4. Railway track accordingto claim 3, wherein the drainage channels are designed in ridge-rooffashion with two oppositely inclined sections.
 5. Railway according toclaim 1, wherein upper sides of the sleepers are at least partlyinclined in the longitudinal direction of the tracks.
 6. Railway trackaccording to claim 1, wherein each sleeper along each of its oppositelongitudinal sides in each case comprises a drainage channel extendingtransversely to the longitudinal direction of the tracks.
 7. Railwaytrack according to claim 1, wherein the sleepers have tamping aperturesopposing one another in pairs.
 8. Railway track according to claim 1,wherein the sleepers have continuous filling apertures provided in thesleeper.
 9. Railway track according to claim 1, wherein the sleepers areformed substantially of concrete and include at least one cavity filledwith a material lighter than concrete.
 10. Railway track according toclaim 1, wherein each sleeper has a duct passage thereon or therein,extending in the longitudinal direction of the tracks.
 11. Sleeper for arailway track according to claim 1, wherein the sleeper has at least onefeature selected from the group of features consisting of the drainagechannels forming an integral part of the sleepers; the drainage channelsbeing inclined in the longitudinal direction of the sleepers; thedrainage channels being designed in ridge-roof fashion with twooppositely inclined sections; the upper sides of the sleepers beingdesigned at least partly inclined in the longitudinal direction of thetracks; each sleeper along each of its opposite longitudinal sides ineach case comprising a drainage channel extending transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the tracks; a joint drainage channel is ineach case being assigned to two adjoining sleepers; adjoining sleepersoverlapping in the longitudinal direction of the tracks without mutualcontact and that the drainage channel in the region of the overlappreferably forming an integral part of one of the adjoining sleepers;each sleeper along its one longitudinal side comprising a salientprojection and along its opposite longitudinal side a laterallyprojecting channel section forming the drainage channel, in whichcontext the channel section engages underneath the salient projection ofthe adjoining sleeper; at the end of the salient projections along theirunderside a drip section being designed, formed in particular by adownwardly pointing drip ledge or by an upwardly facing groove; tampingapertures being provided in the sleepers opposing one another in pairs;continuous filling apertures being provided in the sleepers; on theundersides of each sleeper at least one recess being centrally disposedand extending over the entire sleeper width and which is filled withsynthetic resin material; at least one depression or projection beingprovided on the sleeper heads; the sleepers consisting substantially ofconcrete and including at least one cavity filled with a materiallighter than concrete; a duct passage extending in longitudinaldirection of the tracks being provided on or in the sleepers; tracksupports of the sleepers being disposed off-center in relation to alongitudinal-central plane of the sleepers; sleeper surfaces beingprovided at least in part with sound absorbing or sound refractingmeans; the sleepers consisting of concrete having a non-prestressedreinforcement and/or a prestressed reinforcement; a groove beingprovided along an upper edge of the sleeper heads; the drainage channel,at a sleeper face end, exiting into a further drainage channel extendingin the longitudinal direction of the tracks; the further drainagechannel at each sleeper head forming an integral part of the sleepers;and the drainage channel at the sleeper face end comprising an upwardlydirected retaining wall.
 12. A railway track, comprising: a ballast bed;sleepers disposed on the ballast bed and being separated from each otherby a first distance; tracks mounted on the sleepers, wherein the firstdistance of separation between the sleepers defines a second distancebetween supporting points of the tracks, wherein the sleepers aredisposed in the longitudinal direction of the tracks, closely adjoiningone another, but without mutual contact and leaving a gap, and whereinat least one drainage channel, extending transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the tracks, is assigned to each sleeper forlateral water drainage; and a gap cover covering or sealing the gap froma top side thereof, wherein the gap cover in cross-section includes amushroom-shaped roof section that covers the gap with a section of thesleepers bordering thereon, the gap cover further comprising a footsection projecting downwardly into the gap, which is held in the gap ina press-fitting or form-fitting relationship.
 13. Railway trackaccording to claim 12, further comprising resiliently deformable holdingmeans at the foot section which is adaptable to the respective gapwidth.
 14. Railway track according to claim 13, wherein the holdingmeans are expansion elements extending transversely to the gap.
 15. Arailway track, comprising: a ballast bed; sleepers disposed on theballast bed and being separated from each other by a first distance;tracks mounted on the sleepers, wherein the first distance of separationbetween the sleepers defines a second distance between supporting pointsof the tracks, wherein the sleepers are disposed in the longitudinaldirection of the tracks, closely adjoining one another, but withoutmutual contact and leaving a gap, and wherein at least one drainagechannel, extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of thetracks, is assigned to each sleeper for lateral water drainage; and agap cover covering or sealing the gap from a top side thereof, whereinthe gap cover is comprised of rubber or synthetic material.
 16. Arailway track, comprising: a ballast bed; sleepers disposed on theballast bed and being separated from each other by a first distance; andtracks mounted on the sleepers, wherein the first distance of separationbetween the sleepers defines a second distance between supporting pointsof the tracks, wherein the sleepers are disposed in the longitudinaldirection of the tracks, closely adjoining one another, but withoutmutual contact and leaving a gap, wherein at least one drainage channel,extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tracks, isassigned to each sleeper for lateral water drainage, and wherein a jointdrainage channel is in each case assigned to two adjoining sleepers. 17.Railway track according to claim 16, further comprising a gap covercovering or sealing the gap from a top side thereof.
 18. Railway trackaccording to claim 17, wherein the gap cover is provided in aform-fitting or press-fitting relationship in the gap.
 19. Railway trackaccording to claim 17, wherein the gap cover comprises a cover elementor sealing element bearing on adjoining one of the sleepers on oradjoining either side of the gap.
 20. Railway track according to claim16, wherein the two adjoining sleepers overlap in the longitudinaldirection of the tracks without mutual contact and the drainage channelin the region of the overlap forms an integral part of one of the twoadjoining sleepers.
 21. Railway track according to claim 20, whereineach sleeper comprises a salient projection along one longitudinal sidethereof, and a laterally projecting channel section forming the drainagechannel along an opposite longitudinal side thereof, in which contextthe channel section of one of the two adjoining sleepers engagesunderneath the salient projection of the other one of the two adjoiningsleepers.
 22. Railway track according to claim 21, further including adrip section at ends of the salient projections along the underside ofthe salient projections, formed by a downwardly pointing drip ledge orby an upwardly facing groove.
 23. Railway track according to claim 20,wherein the sleepers include sleepers of a first type and sleepers of asecond type, which alternate with each other, and wherein each sleeperof the first type comprises a salient projection along its two oppositesides and each sleeper of the second type along its two opposite sidescomprises a laterally projecting channel section forming the drainagechannel, in which context each passage section engages under the salientprojection of the adjoining sleeper.
 24. A railway track, comprising: aballast bed; sleepers disposed on the ballast bed and being separatedfrom each other by a first distance; and tracks mounted on the sleepers,wherein the first distance of separation between the sleepers defines asecond distance between supporting points of the tracks, wherein thesleepers are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the tracks,closely adjoining one another, but without mutual contact and leaving agap, wherein at least one drainage channel, extending transversely tothe longitudinal direction of the tracks, is assigned to each sleeperfor lateral water drainage, and wherein an underside of each sleeper hasat least one centrally disposed recess extending over the entire sleeperwidth and filled with synthetic resin material.
 25. Railway trackaccording to claim 1, wherein the sleepers have sleeper heads which areeach provided with at least one depression or projection.
 26. A railwaytrack, comprising: a ballast bed; sleepers disposed on the ballast bedand being separated from each other by a first distance; and tracksmounted on the sleepers, wherein the first distance of separationbetween the sleepers defines a second distance between supporting pointsof the tracks, wherein the sleepers are disposed in the longitudinaldirection of the tracks, closely adjoining one another, but withoutmutual contact and leaving a gap, wherein at least one drainage channel,extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tracks, isassigned to each sleeper for lateral water drainage, and wherein saidsleepers have track supports, disposed off-center in relation to alongitudinal-central plane of the sleepers.
 27. A railway track,comprising: a ballast bed; sleepers disposed on the ballast bed andbeing separated from each other by a first distance; tracks mounted onthe sleepers, wherein the first distance of separation between thesleepers defines a second distance between supporting points of thetracks, wherein the sleepers are disposed in the longitudinal directionof the tracks, closely adjoining one another, but without mutual contactand leaving a gap, and wherein at least one drainage channel, extendingtransversely to the longitudinal direction of the tracks, is assigned toeach sleeper for lateral water drainage; and means, on surfaces of thesleepers for absorbing or refracting sound.
 28. A railway track,comprising: a ballast bed; sleepers disposed on the ballast bed andbeing separated from each other by a first distance; and tracks mountedon the sleepers, wherein the first distance of separation between thesleepers defines a second distance between supporting points of thetracks, wherein the sleepers are disposed in the longitudinal directionof the tracks, closely adjoining one another, but without mutual contactand leaving a gap, wherein at least one drainage channel, extendingtransversely to the longitudinal direction of the tracks, is assigned toeach sleeper for lateral water drainage, and wherein the sleepersconsist of concrete having a non-prestressed reinforcement and/or aprestressed reinforcement.
 29. A railway track, comprising: a ballastbed; sleepers disposed on the ballast bed and being separated from eachother by a first distance; and tracks mounted on the sleepers, whereinthe first distance of separation between the sleepers defines a seconddistance between supporting points of the tracks, wherein the sleepersare disposed in the longitudinal direction of the tracks, closelyadjoining one another, but without mutual contact and leaving a gap,wherein at least one drainage channel, extending transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the tracks, is assigned to each sleeper forlateral water drainage, and wherein the sleepers include sleeper headshaving upper edges provided therealong with a groove.
 30. A railwaytrack, comprising: a ballast bed; sleepers disposed on the ballast bedand being separated from each other by a first distance; and tracksmounted on the sleepers, wherein the first distance of separationbetween the sleepers defines a second distance between supporting pointsof the tracks, wherein the sleepers are disposed in the longitudinaldirection of the tracks, closely adjoining one another, but withoutmutual contact and leaving a gap, wherein at least one drainage channel,extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tracks, isassigned to each sleeper for lateral water drainage, and wherein thedrainage channel that extends transversely to the longitudinal directionof the tracks exits into a further drainage channel, the furtherdrainage channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the tracks.31. Railway track according to claim 30, wherein each sleeper has asleeper head and the further drainage channel is located on the sleeperhead and forms an integral part of the sleeper.
 32. A railway track,comprising: a ballast bed; sleepers disposed on the ballast bed andbeing separated from each other by a first distance; and tracks mountedon the sleepers, wherein the first distance of separation between thesleepers defines a second distance between supporting points of thetracks, wherein the sleepers are disposed in the longitudinal directionof the tracks, closely adjoining one another, but without mutual contactand leaving a gap, wherein at least one drainage channel, extendingtransversely to the longitudinal direction of the tracks, is assigned toeach sleeper for lateral water drainage, and wherein each sleeper has asleeper face end and the drainage channel comprises an upwardly directedretaining wall at the sleeper face end.
 33. A railway track, comprising:a ballast bed; sleepers disposed on the ballast bed and being separatedfrom each other by a first distance; and tracks mounted on the sleepers,wherein the first distance of separation between the sleepers defines asecond distance between supporting points of the tracks, wherein thesleepers are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the tracks,closely adjoining one another, but without mutual contact and leaving agap, wherein at least one drainage channel, extending transversely tothe longitudinal direction of the tracks, is assigned to each sleeperfor lateral water drainage, and wherein the gap is sealed and adjoiningsleepers amongst one another define a joint drainage channel extendingtransversely to the longitudinal direction of the tracks for lateralwater drainage.